Rotor brake



CQ E. TACK ROTOR BRAKE May 29, 1945.

2 Sheets-Sheet' 1 Filed June 26; 1942 C. E. TACK RoToR BRAKE May 29, 1945.

Filed June 26, 1942 sheets-sheet 2 l Patented May 29, `1945 E f f UNITED STATES PATENT y OFFICE N` 1 Y ROTOR BRAKE Carl. Tack, Chicago, Ivll.,|.rassignor to yAmerican l SteelFundrie's, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 26, 1942, serial No. 448,524

24 claims; (ci. iss-153) ThisI invention relates ato" brake 'rigging and more"particularly to rigging for an' Off-wheel brake arrangement for arailway car truck'in lwhich brake discs are vrotatably mounted `onjthe Wheel andl axle assemblies, each disczbeing braked by friction shoes at opposite sidestl'iereof.` f I 1 An object of my invention is to'devise .an offwheel brakel arrangement in which Vthe brake ,shoes are suspendedfrom thetruck frame in such manner as to snub, during actuation vof,v said shoes,` vertical movements of theA truck' frame whichis'sp'ring supported from the wheeland axle assemblies in the usualmanner.

:A more specic object of my invention-iste provide a separate brake frame for the rigging associated with yeach'brake disc, said frame affording a pivotal fulcrum for the Abrake Alevers rassociated with said disc, and said brake frame being supported solely-from the truck frame. It Awill be readily apparent to thosef'skilled in the art that by thus supporting the brake frame, relative vertical movement between the' wheel and axle assembly and the truck framewill be snubbed by means of the brake rigging during actuation thereof. i i `Atstill more specific object of vmy invention is an arrangementwhereby each brakeframe is afforded a resilient two point support from the ,truck frame, said two point support comprising Va pivotal connection between the top vof the brake frame and the truck frame and an additional connection between .the truck frame and `the end Of Ithebralire frame` remote from the-associated brake disc, Isaid connections permitting but,V resiliently restraining vertical, lateral, longitudinal, land-` twisting movement of kthe brake frame with respect to the truck frame.4 yIn my novel arrangement thebrakefrazne is provided with a pair of lugs on thetop thereof and, a pair of lugs on the end thereof remote from the associated brake disc, each of said lugs being bushed with an annular resilient` bushing. Arpivotally hung link projects betweenk the'lugs ,on the top of the brake frame and is connected thereto by means of a bolt and nut assembly, ai'idftha lugs` on theend of the brake frame are sifniilarlyy bushedand similarly connected to a lug'formed on the truck frame.

It will be apparent that by means of the supporty above described, lateral movement of the brake frame with respect to the truck frame will beresisted in direct shear by the bushings associated with the end lugs andwill be resisted in torsional shear by the bushings associated with the ktop lugs.

iMS

-In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a railway car truck embodying my invention, only one-half of the truck being sho-wn inasmuch as it is similar at opposite sides thereof. I V

'Figure 2 is a side elevation of the'arrangement shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken in thetransverse vertical 'plane indicated by .the line 3--3 of Figure l.

necting the brake frameto the adjacent` truck 'frame transom. I

'In each of said iigures, certain details may `be omittedv wherey they 'are more clearly shown 4in other views.

Describing my invention in detail, the truck frame generally designated 2` comprises the end yrails 4, 4, the spaced intermediate transoms E, 6 and the side rail 8 at each side of the frame and integral with said' end rails and said transoms, said transoms affording a means lof supportv for an interposed bolster member (not shown) uponwhich may be mounted an Aassociated caribody. At each end thereof each side lrail is formed ywith a pair of pedestal jaws III, I0 dening'a pedestal opening I2 receiving there- Within a journal box (not shown), said box affording journal means for-the associated wheel and axle assembly generally designated I4. It will be understood that the journal boxes at each side of the truck afford support in the usual manner for an equalizer I6, said equalizer supporting adjacent each end thereof a spring seat I8 supporting and positioning a spring group 20, diagrammatically indicated in Figure 3, Vsaid springgroup being seated at 2,2 against the adjacent portion of the truck frame and affording support therefor in rthe-usual manner.

l rIt will be understood by those skilled in the art that the spring groups 20, 20 comprise a plurality of coil springs, the harmonious oscillation of which may, under certain circumstances, result in deleterious effects upon the truck structure, and it will be also understood that said harmonious oscillation may cause the wheel and axle assemblies I4,` I4 to be unloaded of the weight of vthe truck frameY 2 during the braking of said assemblies, and it is believed that this unloading may cause skidding of the wheels upon the associated rails during the braking of the truck. An object of this invention is to prevent the unloading of the wheel and axle assemblies I4, I4 during actuation of the brake rigging, as hereinafter more fully described.

Each wheel and axle assembly I4 comprises an axle 24, wheels 26, 26 mounted thereon, and a brake disc 28 concentric with the axle 24 and secured at 30 to the hub of the adjacent wheel. A gusset 32 is integrally formed with the truck frame 2 at the juncture of each transom 6 with each side rail 8, and each gusset 32 comprises the depending jaw 34 receiving the upper end of a link or hanger 36 pivotally connected therein as at 38, the lower end of said hanger being received between the upstanding lugs 40, 40 on the associated brake frame or housing generally designated 42 and being secured thereto as hereinafter described.

Each of the lugs 40, 44 comprises an opening receiving a composite bushing 44 formed of an annular pad of rubber or any other sui-table resilient material, said pad having annular :metal plates vulcanized respectively to the inner and outer peripheries thereof and said bushings 44, 44 are tightly tted in the openings i-n respective i lugs 48, 40 in any convenient manner.

The inner annular metal plate of each bushing 44 extends outwardly of the associated lug 40 as at 46 for engagement with a bolt and nut assembly 43 extending therethrough and it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that as the bolt and nut assembly 48 is tightened, the resilient pads are distorted in shear as the inner 'annular metal plates of the respective bushings 44, 44 are urged into engagement with the adjacent sides of the link or hanger 3E. If desirable the abutting edges of the hanger 36 and the inner annular metal plates' of the composite bushings 4-4, 44 may be provided with complementary teeth and notches whereby the hanger and said plates Will be eic'iently interlocked. However, it is believed that vunder ordinary circumstances the friction developed between the hanger-and the inner plates as the bolt and nut assembly 48 is tightened will provide an adequate interlocking means.

The end of the box-like brake frame or housing 42 remote from the'associated brake disc 28 is provided with a pair of spaced lugs 50, 50 receiving therebetween a lug 52 formed on the associated transom 6, each of the lugs 50, 50 being provided with a composite resilient bushing 54 extending outwardly therefrom at 56 as in the case of the bushings 44, 44 previously described.

The lug 52 on the transom is connected to the lugs B, 50 on the brake frame in a manner substantially identical with the connection of the lugs 40, 40 to the link or hanger 35 by means of a bolt and nut assembly 58.

Braking means is provided for each brake disc 28 and is supported from the associated brake frame 42 as hereinafter described, said brake means comprising the spaced friction shoes 60, 60 arranged for engagement with opposite sides of the disc 28 and carried by respective brake heads 82, 62, each of said brake heads being pivotally connected at 64 to the associated brake lever 63, said lever extending into the associated housing 42 and pivotally fulcrumed therein at 58, the inner ends of the levers 66, 56 being operatively connected to a hydraulic cylinder 'I0 (Figure 2) carried by the brake frame 42.

Actuating means for the brake rigging at each side of the truck comprises an air cylinder 12 secured at 14, 'I4 to the associated side rail 8, the piston rod 16 associated with said cylinder being pivotally connected at I8 to the outboard end of the diagonally arranged dead cylinder lever 80, said lever being pivotally fulcrumed at 82 from the bracket 84 formed on the associated gusset 32, said cylinder lever being supported adjacent the outboard endthereof by means of a bracket 86 supported on the truck frame 2 and being pivotally connected intermediate its ends as at 88 to the piston rod 90 associated with the master hydraulic cylinder 92 secured at 94, 94 to the side rail 8'.

It will be readily. understood by those skilled in `the art that'upon actuation of the air cylinder T2 the piston rod 'I6 will be moved to the left as shown in Figures l and 2, said piston rod causing the dead cylinder' lever 80 to urge the piston rod 90 inwardly with respect to the master hydraulic cylinder 92 whereby actuating fluid in said master cylinder will be conveyed by means of the supply line 96 to the hydraulic cylinders 10, 10 supported from the brake frames 42, 42 and operatively associated with the brake levers GB, 66 as heretofore described, said supply line 96 being aiTorded resilient connection to the hydraulic cylinders10, IU in order to permit lateral and 1ongitudinal movement of the brake frames 4'2, 42 in a manner hereinafter more fully described, and it will be understood that by modifying the pivotal connection at 88 the mechanical advantage obtained by the dead cylinder lever may be varied so that the brake arrangement described may be readily adapted to cars of various weights.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that upon actuation of the 'brake shoes 60, 60 oscillations of the springs comprising the spring groups 20, 20 will be snubbed and unloading of the wheel and axle assemblies I4, I4 will be thereby prevented, thus decreasing possibility of the skidding of the wheels 2B, 26 upon the associated rails.

Movement of each Wheel and axle assembly I4 with respect to the truck frame 2 during actuation of the brake rigging will be accommodated by the connection of the associated brake frame 42 to the truck frame, and it will be apparent upon consideration of Figures 1 to 3, that lateral movement of the wheel and axle assembly I4 with respect to the truck frame will be resisted in direct shear by the bushings 54, 54 and will be resisted in torsional shear by the bushings 44, 44, longitudinal movements of the Wheel and axle assembly with respect to the truck frame being resisted in compression by the bushings 54, 54 and in direct shear by the bushings 44, 44. Vertical and twisting movements of the wheel and axle assembly with respect to the truck frame will be resisted in compression by all of the bushings.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, spaced supporting wheel and axle assemblies, rotatable brake discs mounted thereon, a brake `frame adjacent each disc, means supporting said brake frame from said vehicle frame and comprising resilient means adapted to resist relative movement between the brake frame andthe vehicle frame in every direction, brake levers ful- Icrurnecl o n said Ibrake frame, friction shoes carried by respective levers for engagement with opposite sides of said disc, a hydraulic cylinder on each brake frameand operativelyassociated with adjacent levers, an air cylinder mounted on said vehicle frame, ra dead cylinder lever fulcrumed from the vehicle frame and1operatively connected to the air cylinder, and 'a master hydraulic cylinder mounted on the vehicle frame land adapted to be actuated by said cylinder lever and operatively connected to the first-mentioned hydraulic cylinders. u y Y 2. In abrakef arrangement, a vehicle frame, spaced supporting wheel and axle assemblies, brake discs mounted on said assemblies, friction means for engagement with opposite sides of each disc, brake levers operatively connected to respective friction means, hydraulic cylinders associated with said levers, and actuating means comprising an air cylinder mounted on said frame, a dead cylinder lever operatively connected at one end thereof to said air cylinder and pivotally fulcrumed at the opposite end thereof from said frame, a master hydraulic cylinder mounted on said frame, means conveying actuating iluid from said master cylinder to said rst-mentioned hydraulic'cylinders, and an operative connection between an intermediate portion of said cylinder lever and said master, hydraulic cylinder.

3. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, spaced supporting wheel and axle assemblies, rotatable brake discs mounted on said assemblies, a brake frame hung from the vehicle frame adjacent each disc, brake levers fulcrumed on said brake frame, friction shoes carried byV respective levers for engagement with opposite sides onf said disc, a hydraulic cylinder on each brake frame and operatively associated with adjacent levers, an air cylinder mounted on said vehicle frame, a diagonally arranged deadcylinder lever fulcrumed at one end thereof from` the vehicle frame and operatively connected at the oppositeend thereof to the air cylinder, and a master hydraulic cylinder mounted on the vehicle frame, adapted to be actuated by said cylinder lever, and operatively connected to the rstmentioned hydraulic cylinders.

4.' In a brake arrangement, a, vehicleframe, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, a brake disc mounted thereon, a brakeframe, brake levers pivotally fulcrumed thereon, friction means on said'levers for engagement with said disc, means on said brake frame for actuating .said levers, and supportmeans for the fbrake frame comprising a link pivotally hung from the vehicleframe and resiliently connected to the brake frame, said resilient connection comprising resilient` means adapted to resist in torsional shear lateral movement between the brake frame and the vehicle frame, and an additional connection between the brake frame and the vehicle frame, the lastmentioned connection comprising resilient means adapted to resist in direct shear said relative lateralmovement.

5. In a `brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, spaced supporting wheel` and axle assemblies, rotatable brake discs mounted on said assemblies, a' brake frame hung fromthe vehicle frame ad- .iacent each disc, brake levers fulcrumed on said frame, friction shoes carried by respective levers for engagement with opposite sides of said disc, a hydraulic cylinder on eachfbrake frame .and operatively associated j with adjacent levers, an rair cylinder mounted on said vehicle frame, a; dead cylinder lever fulcrumed from the vehicle frame andA operatively connected to the air cylinder,`and amaster, hydraulic cylinder mounted onthe vehicle frame, adapted `,to be actuated by said cylinder lever, and operatively connected to the first-mentioned hydraulic cylinders.

6. In a brake arrangement, a truck, a. supporting wheel'and axle assembly, a rotatable member mounted thereon, friction means for engagement with said member, a brake frame comprising Aspaced lugs on the top thereof and spaced lugs :on the end thereof remote from said member, a linkw'pivotally connected between and to therst-mentoned lugs and to said truck, and a lug on the truck connected between and tothe second-mentioned lugs, the last-mentioned connection comprising resilient means resisting in vdirect shear relative lateral movement between the brake frame and the truck, andthe connection between the link and thespaced top lugscomprising resilient means adapted to resist in torsional shear said relative lateral movement, and actuating means on the brake frame operatively associated with said friction means. a y

7. In abrake arrangement for a railway car truck comprising a. truck frame and supporting wheel and axle assemblies, brake rigging comprising an air cylinder device mounted von said frame, a cylinder lever vfulcrumed on theV frame and operatively connected to said device, a brake frame supported adjacent each assembly from said truck frame, friction means carried by said brake frame for engagement with lbraking surfaces of said assemblies, and a hydraulic actuating system for said friction means comprising auxiliary cylinders associated therewith, amaster cylinder, a nuid connection between said master and auxiliary cylinders, and an operative connection between said cylinder lever andslaid master cylinder.

8. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck comprising awheel and axle assemblyand a truck frame "having an equalizer supported from said assembly and an upper frame member resiliently supported from said equalizer, friction means supported from said member 4for said assembly, and actuating means for said' friction means comprising an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder associated therewith, a master hydraulic Vcylinder, means for conveying uid from saidmaster vcylinder to said auxiliary cylinder, a lever fulcrumed from the truck frame and connected tosaid master cylinder, and an air cylinder device mountedon the truck frame and 'operatively connected to said lever.

9. In a brake arrangement for a railway car `truck comprising a truck frame and a supporting wheel and axle assembly including an" axle and a member rotatable therewith, a brakefram'e supportedadjacent'said assembly from said truck frame, friction means supported from the brake frame Vfor engagement with said member, a hydraulic cylinder operatively associated with said friction means, a. master hydraulic cylinder mounted on the truck frame, means for conveying fluidv from said master cylinder to the firstmentoned cylinder, a cylinder lever 4,f ulcrumed from said ,truck frame and operatively connected to said master cylinder, `and an air'cylinder mounted on one of said frames and operatively connected to said lever.

l0. In a brake arrangement, a truck frame, spaced supporting `wheel and axle assemblies` braleA discs mounted on said assembliearfriction means :for engagement with respective brake" levers operatively connected to respective friction means, hydraulic cylinders associated with said levers, and power means comprising an air. cylinder on said truck frame, a dead cylinder lever. fulcrumed on-said truck frame and operatively connected to said air cylinder, a master hydraulic cylinder, means conveying actuating uid from said master hydraulic cylinder to said first-mentioned hydraulic cylinders, and an operative connection between said cylinder lever and said master hydraulic cylinder.

11. In abrake arrangement, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, a brake disc mounted thereon, .a brake frame, brake levers pivotally fulcrumed thereon, friction means on said levers for engagement with said disc, means on said brake frame for actuating said levers, and support means for the .brake frame comprising a link pivotally connected thereto and to said vehicle frame, and an additional connection `between the brake frame and; the Vehicle frame, said connections being adapted to permit swinging movement of said brake frame laterally with respect to the vehicle frame, said link carrying resilient means xed thereto and to said brake frame for resisting saidmovement in torsional Shear.

l2. In a brake arrangement, a truck, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, a rotatable member mounted thereon, friction means for engagement with said member, a bra-ke frame comprising spaced lugs on the top thereof and spaced lugs on the end thereof remote from said member, a 4link pivotally connected between and to the first-mentioned lugs and to said truck, and a lug on thev truck connected between and to the second-mentioned lugs, the last-mentioned connection comprising resilient means resisting movement. of the brake frame afforded by said link, and actuating means on the brake frame operatively connected to said friction means.

13. In a brake arrangement for a railway car truck comprising a truck frame and a supporting wheel and axle assembly including an axle .truck comprising a truck frame and a-supporting wheel and axle assemblyincludinga-n axle and a member rotatable therewith, abrake frame supported adjacent said assembly from said truck frame, friction meansfor engagement with inboard and outboard sides of said member, brake levers supporting respective friction means, said leversbeing pivotally fulcrumed on said brake frame, a hydraulic cylinder on said brake frame operatively associated ywith said levers, va dead cylinder lever fulcrumedfrom said truck frame, a master hydraulic cylinder mounted on said truck frame. and operatively connected to said cylinder lever, an air cylinder on said truck frame operatively associated ,with said dead cylinder 1ever, and an operative connection between said master cylinder and said first-mentioned hydraulic cylinder.

16. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly including an axle and a member rotatable therewith, a brake frame, friction means supported from said brake frame for engagement with said member, a resilient connection between said vehicle frame and the top of said brake frame, and a pivotal and resilient connection between said vehicle frame and theend of said brake frame remote from said member, the last-mentioned connection comprising resilient means xed to both of said frames and resisting in torsional shear pivotall movement of said brake frame afforded by said last-mentioned connection.

17. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel. and axle assembly including an axle and a member rotatable therewith, a brake frame, brake levers pivotally'iulcrumed thereon, 4friction means on said levers for en- -gagement with said member, means on said and a member rotatable therewith, friction means supported from the truck for engagement with said member, an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder operatively associated with said friction means, a master hydraulic cylinder device mounted on the truck frame and comprising a piston rod, means for conveying uid from said device to said auxiliary cylinder, an air cylinder mounted on the frame, a lever having respective ends thereof fulcrumed from said frame and operatively connected to. said air cylinder, said lever being directly connected intermediate the ends thereof to said rod.

`14. In abrake arrangement for a railway car truck comprising a truck frame and a supporting wheel and axle assembly including an axle and almember rotatable therewith, friction means supported from the truck for engagement with said member, a hydraulic cylinder operatively associated with said friction means, amaster hydraulic cylinder mounted onthe truck frame, meansfor conveying fluid from said masterl cylinder tothe first-mentioned cylinder, a cylinder lever fulcrurned at the inboard end thereof from said frame and operatively connected intermediate its ends to said master cylinder, and an air cylinder mounted on the frame and operatively connected to the outboard end of said lever.

15. In a. brake arrangement for a railway car brake frame for actuating said levers, and supportl means for the brake frame comprising a link pivotally hung from the vehicle frame and resiliently connected to the brake frame, said resilient connection comprising resilient means adapted to resist in torsional shear lateral movement between the brake frame and the vehicle frame, and an additional connection between the brake frame and the vehicle frame, the last-mentioned connection comprising resilient means adapted to resist ,in direct shear said relative lateral movement.

18. In a brake arrangemenba truck, a supporting wheel and axle assembly including an axle and a member rotatable therewith, a brake frame comprising spaced rigid means on the top thereof and spaced rigid means on the end there- 0f remote from said member, a link pivotally connected between and to .the first-mentioned rigid means and to said truck, and rigid means on the truck connected between and to the second-mentioned rigid means, the last-mentioned connection comprising resilient means resisting in direct shear relative lateral movement between the brake frame land the truck, and the connection between the link and the first-mentioned rigid means comprising resilient means adapted to resist in torsional shear said relative lateral movement.

19. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly including an axle and a member rotatable` therewith, a brake frame housing spaced from said assembly, power means on said brake frame housing, brake `levers pivotally fulcrumed from said brake frame housing and engaged with said means, friction means supported', from said levers for engagement with supporting wheel and axle assembly including an axle and a member rotatable therewith, a boxlike brake frame housing spaced from said assembly, power means on said brake frame housing, brake levers pivotally fulcrumed from said brake frame housing and engaged with said means, friction means supported from said levers for engagement with opposite sides of said member, and a support for said brake frame housing, said support being characterized by a connection between the top of said brake frame housing and said vehicle frame, and another connection between said vehicle frame and the end of said brake frame housing remote from said member, said lrst-mentioned connection including a link pivoted to the vehicle frame and to the lbrake frame housing and carrying resilient means lixed to the brake frame housing, said resilient means resisting in torsional shear lateral movement of the brake frame housing with respect to the vehicle frame.

21. In a brake arrangement, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly including an axle and a member rotatable therewith, a boxlike brake frame housing spaced from said as sembly, power means on said brake frame housing, brake levers pivotally fulcrumed from said brake frame housing and engaged with said means, friction means supported from said levers for engagement with opposite sides of said member, and a support for said housing, said support being characterized by a connection be tween the top vof said housing and said vehicle trame, and another connection between said vehicle frame and the end of said housing remote from said member, both of said connections comprising resilient means adapted to resist relative movement between the vehicle frame and the brake frame housing.

22. In a railway truck, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, a brake frame, and means for supporting said brake frame from said vehicle frame, said means comprising a link pivotally depending from the vehicle frame and resiliently connected to said brake frame, said resilient connection comprising resilient means adapted to resist in torsional shear lateral movement between the brake frame and the vehicle frame, and an additional connection between the brake frame and vehicle frame, said lastmentioned connection comprising resilient means adapted to resist in direct shear said relative lateral movement.

23. In a railway truck, a vehicle frame, a supporting wheel and axle assembly, a brake frame, and means for supporting said brake frame from said Vehicle frame, said means comprising a link pivotally connected thereto and to said vehicle frame, and an additional connection between the brake frame and the vehicle frame, said connections being adapted to permit swinging movement of said brake frame laterally with respect to the vehicle frame, said link carrying resilientl means in .engagement therewith and said lbrake frame vfor resisting said movement in torsional shear.

24. In a railway car truck, a vehicle frame, a supportingwheel and axle assembly, abrakefxame, a pivotal and resilient connection between said vehicle frame and the end of said brake frame remote from said assembly, said resilient connection comprising resilient means adapted to resist in direct shear lateral movement between said vehicle frame and said brake frame, and an additional connection between said brake frame and said vehicle frame, said last-mentioned connection comprising resilient means adapted to resist in torsional shear said relative lateral movement.

CARL E. TACK. 

